Rep. Steven Roberts Jr. sponsored HB 1318, a bill that would create an accelerated rehabilitation program for criminal defendants in certain counties as an alternative to traditional prosecution. The program would allow screened defendants to complete rehabilitation in lieu of prosecution for up to two years. Such a program could provide a positive alternative to incarceration and reduce overpopulation in local correctional facilities, according to Rep. Roberts. HB 1318 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee at the end of the 2018 legislative session.

1. Sponsorship of HB 1318

2. As a state legislator,
Rep. Steven Roberts Jr.
of St. Louis utilizes his
position to advocate for
positive, lasting change
for his constituents –
and for the state of
Missouri.

3. This includes his support
for reforming the criminal
justice system, something
evident in his recent
sponsorship of HB 1318 –
a bill written to create an
“Accelerated
Rehabilitative Disposition
Pilot Program.”

4. If passed, the “Accelerated Rehabilitative
Disposition Program” laid out in HB 1318 would
provide screened defendants throughout the St.
Louis County, St. Louis City and Jackson County
circuit court systems to complete a rehabilitation
program in lieu of traditional prosecution –
programs that would be no longer than two years
total.

5. Such a program, as Rep.
Steven Roberts Jr. knows,
could potentially provide
a positive alternative to
incarceration – as well as
to reduce the burden of
overpopulation on local
correctional facilities.

6. HB 1318 was referred to the Missouri House Judiciary
Committee near the end of the 2018 Session.

7. HB 1318 was referred to the Missouri House Judiciary
Committee near the end of the 2018 Session.